1. Flail chest: Monitor pulse oximetry and blood gases, intubate and ventilate if there is hypoxia or respiratory distress. Consider early intubation in elderly or severe multitrauma patients. 2. Open, sucking/blowing wound in the chest wall: Do not suture or pack before thoracostomy tube insertion. Danger of tension pneumothorax! A Square gauze taped on only 3 sides can be applied while preparing for chest tube insertion. 3. Tension pneumothorax: Initial decompression with needle insertion through the
Platelets should be transfused at a rate of 10 milliliters per minute for approximately 30 minutes, explains the Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan Health System.
Platelets are the smallest of the blood cells that aid in blood clotting by forming plugs in blood vessel holes. The platelets circulate in the blood with an average lifespan of 5 to 9 days. A normal platelet count in a healthy person ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microlitre of blood.